Ex-Steelers running back Conner signs one-year deal with Arizona
Former Steelers running back James Conner signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Conner spent the past four seasons with the Steelers and was their feature back for the past three.
Conner, who became an unrestricted free agent in March, finished his Steelers career with 2,302 rushing yards, 963 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns. He became the starting running back in 2018 when Le’Veon Bell decided to sit out the season in a contract dispute.
“Pittsburgh, my time there was great, through the university and the Steelers,” Conner said Tuesday in a Zoom call with Arizona media. “It’s not a culture shock. … This is my vibe. I love the sun and being out here. I love traveling. The opportunity to come out here and live in AZ — football comes
first, though.”
Conner earned Pro Bowl honors in 2018 when he racked up 1,470 scrimmage yards and scored 13 touchdowns. But he was never able to match that production the past two seasons.
Injuries cost Conner six games in 2019 and three games last season, and his production fell off. When the Steelers finished last in the NFL in rushing last season and team president Art Rooney II mandated that Mike Tomlin improve the running game, the writing was on the wall for Conner, whose entire football career had been spent in Western Pennsylvania.
“I was looking forward to the change,” Conner told Cardinals reporters. “Not really a desire to leave, but I feel certain people talk about being in their hometown, and I just feel like this is an opportunity for me to grow. … It’s something new, so I was looking forward to that and I feel like I can continue to grow.”
Conner played at Erie McDowell High School before matriculating at Pitt, where he developed into a third- round pick after overcoming cancer and a major knee injury.
The Steelers have four running backs with NFL experience on their offseason roster, but they could draft one later this month. Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland and Jaylen Samuels were Steelers draft picks, and Kalen Ballage was signed as a free agent earlier this month.
“It’s just part of the journey,” Conner said of the injury history that halted his momentum with the Steelers.
“Been through things before, going to go through things in the future, so the only thing I can do is continue to get my body ready, which I do, year in and year out. They’re all challenges, and I look forward to challenges.”